title: Can cost sharing measures improve the function of outpatient departments of public hospitals: the opinions of administrative directors.
abstract: This paper describes a study aiming to investigate the opinions of administrative personnel concerning the effectiveness of a cost sharing mechanism (of euro 5/visit) at public hospitals' outpatient departments. Data was derived through a structured questionnaire (developed by the researchers) which appealed to 112 administrative directors of public hospitals. Results highlighted a positive attitude concerning the function of the cost - sharing mechanism at public hospitals, a rather fair measure for the users (vulnerable groups are excluded) which probably is enhancing the monetary flow in public hospitals.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Services Management and Evaluation. Department of Nursing, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tsirona
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Siskou
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Galanis
authors.forename: Daphne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kaitelidou
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsavalias
authors.forename: Argyro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ragkousi
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Semertziadi
authors.forename: Ioanna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Anagnostopoulou
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vafiadis
authors.forename: Lycourgos
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liaropoulos
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D017047:Cost Sharing / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational / Q000191:economics*; D005060:Europe; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000191:economics*; D018803:Models, Economic; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000191:economics*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires